java.lang.Object
- com.jgoodies.forms.factories.FormFactory

```
public final class FormFactory
extends java.lang.Object
```
A factory that creates instances of FormLayout for frequently used form layouts. It makes form creation easier and more consistent.
I consider removing the FormLayout factory methods. These seem to be less useful and may lead to poor layout readability. If you want to use these methods, you may consider copying them to your codebase.

The forms are described by major and minor columns. Major columns consist of a leading label and a set of related components, for example: a label plus textfield, or label plus textfield plus button. The component part of a major column is divided into minor columns as shown in this layout:
```
 <-    major column 1        ->  <-     major column 2       ->
 label1 textfield1a textfield1b  label2 textfield2a textfield2b
 label3 textfield3a textfield3b  label4 textfield4
 label5 textfield5               label6 textfield6
 
```
Many forms use 1, 2, 3 or 4 major columns, which in turn are often split into 1, 2, 3 or 4 minor columns.
Version:

$Revision$

Author:

Karsten Lentzsch

See Also:

FormLayout, ColumnSpec

Field Summary

Fields
Modifier and Type	Field	Description
`static ColumnSpec`	`BUTTON_COLSPEC`	Describes a logical horizontal column for a fixed size button.
`static ColumnSpec`	`DEFAULT_COLSPEC`	An unmodifyable `ColumnSpec` that determines its preferred width by computing the maximum of all column component preferred widths and its minimum width by computing all column component minimum widths.
`static RowSpec`	`DEFAULT_ROWSPEC`	An unmodifyable `RowSpec` that determines its preferred height by computing the maximum of all column component preferred heights and its minimum height by computing all column component minimum heights.
`static ColumnSpec`	`GLUE_COLSPEC`	An unmodifyable `ColumnSpec` that has an initial width of 0 pixels and that grows.
`static RowSpec`	`GLUE_ROWSPEC`	An unmodifyable `RowSpec` that has an initial height of 0 pixels and that grows.
`static ColumnSpec`	`GROWING_BUTTON_COLSPEC`	Describes a logical horizontal column for a growing button.
`static ColumnSpec`	`LABEL_COMPONENT_GAP_COLSPEC`	Describes a logical horizontal gap between a label and an associated component.
`static RowSpec`	`LINE_GAP_ROWSPEC`	Describes the logical vertical default gap between two rows in the grid.
`static ColumnSpec`	`MIN_COLSPEC`	An unmodifyable `ColumnSpec` that determines its width by computing the maximum of all column component minimum widths.
`static RowSpec`	`MIN_ROWSPEC`	An unmodifyable `RowSpec` that determines its height by computing the maximum of all column component minimum heights.
`static RowSpec`	`NARROW_LINE_GAP_ROWSPEC`	Describes a logical vertical narrow gap between two rows in the grid.
`static RowSpec`	`PARAGRAPH_GAP_ROWSPEC`	Describes the logical vertical default gap between two paragraphs in the layout grid.
`static ColumnSpec`	`PREF_COLSPEC`	An unmodifyable `ColumnSpec` that determines its width by computing the maximum of all column component preferred widths.
`static RowSpec`	`PREF_ROWSPEC`	An unmodifyable `RowSpec` that determines its height by computing the maximum of all column component preferred heights.
`static ColumnSpec`	`RELATED_GAP_COLSPEC`	Describes a logical horizontal gap between two related components.
`static RowSpec`	`RELATED_GAP_ROWSPEC`	Describes a logical vertical gap between two related components.
`static ColumnSpec`	`UNRELATED_GAP_COLSPEC`	Describes a logical horizontal gap between two unrelated components.
`static RowSpec`	`UNRELATED_GAP_ROWSPEC`	Describes a logical vertical gap between two unrelated components.

Method Summary

All Methods Static Methods Concrete Methods
Modifier and Type	Method	Description
`static FormLayout`	`createColumnLayout(int majorColumns, int minorColumns, ColumnSpec labelColumnSpec)`	Creates and returns an instance of `FormLayout` to build forms with the specified number of major and minor columns.
`static FormLayout`	`createColumnLayout(int majorColumns, int minorColumns, ColumnSpec labelColumnSpec, ColumnSpec componentColumnSpec, ConstantSize indent, ConstantSize majorColumnGap, ConstantSize minorColumnGap)`	Creates and returns an instance of `FormLayout` to build forms with the given number of major columns.
`static FormLayout`	`createColumnLayout(int majorColumns, int minorColumns, ColumnSpec labelColumnSpec, ConstantSize indent, ConstantSize minorColumnGap)`	Creates and returns an instance of `FormLayout` to build forms with the given number of major columns.
`static ColumnSpec`	`createGapColumnSpec(ConstantSize gapSize)`	Creates and returns a `ColumnSpec` that represents a gap with the specified `ConstantSize`.
`static RowSpec`	`createGapRowSpec(ConstantSize gapSize)`	Creates and returns a `RowSpec` that represents a gap with the specified `ConstantSize`.

Methods inherited from class java.lang.Object
clone, equals, finalize, getClass, hashCode, notify, notifyAll, toString, wait, wait, wait

- Field Detail
  - MIN_COLSPEC
```
public static final ColumnSpec MIN_COLSPEC
```
    An unmodifyable ColumnSpec that determines its width by computing the maximum of all column component minimum widths.
    
    See Also:
    
    PREF_COLSPEC, DEFAULT_COLSPEC
  - PREF_COLSPEC
```
public static final ColumnSpec PREF_COLSPEC
```
    An unmodifyable ColumnSpec that determines its width by computing the maximum of all column component preferred widths.
    
    See Also:
    
    MIN_COLSPEC, DEFAULT_COLSPEC
  - DEFAULT_COLSPEC
```
public static final ColumnSpec DEFAULT_COLSPEC
```
    An unmodifyable ColumnSpec that determines its preferred width by computing the maximum of all column component preferred widths and its minimum width by computing all column component minimum widths.
    Useful to let a column shrink from preferred width to minimum width if the container space gets scarce.
    
    See Also:
    
    MIN_COLSPEC, PREF_COLSPEC
  - GLUE_COLSPEC
```
public static final ColumnSpec GLUE_COLSPEC
```
    An unmodifyable ColumnSpec that has an initial width of 0 pixels and that grows. Useful to describe glue columns that fill the space between other columns.
    
    See Also:
    
    GLUE_ROWSPEC
  - LABEL_COMPONENT_GAP_COLSPEC
```
public static final ColumnSpec LABEL_COMPONENT_GAP_COLSPEC
```
    Describes a logical horizontal gap between a label and an associated component. Useful for builders that automatically fill a grid with labels and components.
    Note: In a future version this constant will likely be moved to a class LogicalSize or StyledSize.
    
    Since:
    
    1.0.3
  - RELATED_GAP_COLSPEC
```
public static final ColumnSpec RELATED_GAP_COLSPEC
```
    Describes a logical horizontal gap between two related components. For example the OK and Cancel buttons are considered related.
    Note: In a future version this constant will likely be moved to a class LogicalSize or StyledSize.
    
    See Also:
    
    UNRELATED_GAP_COLSPEC
  - UNRELATED_GAP_COLSPEC
```
public static final ColumnSpec UNRELATED_GAP_COLSPEC
```
    Describes a logical horizontal gap between two unrelated components.
    Note: In a future version this constant will likely be moved to a class LogicalSize or StyledSize.
    
    See Also:
    
    RELATED_GAP_COLSPEC
  - BUTTON_COLSPEC
```
public static final ColumnSpec BUTTON_COLSPEC
```
    Describes a logical horizontal column for a fixed size button. This spec honors the current layout style's default button minimum width.
    Note: In a future version this constant will likely be moved to a class LogicalSize or StyledSize.
    
    See Also:
    
    GROWING_BUTTON_COLSPEC
  - GROWING_BUTTON_COLSPEC
```
public static final ColumnSpec GROWING_BUTTON_COLSPEC
```
    Describes a logical horizontal column for a growing button. This spec does not use the layout style's default button minimum width.
    Note: In a future version this constant will likely be moved to a class LogicalSize or StyledSize.
    
    See Also:
    
    BUTTON_COLSPEC
  - MIN_ROWSPEC
```
public static final RowSpec MIN_ROWSPEC
```
    An unmodifyable RowSpec that determines its height by computing the maximum of all column component minimum heights.
    
    See Also:
    
    PREF_ROWSPEC, DEFAULT_ROWSPEC
  - PREF_ROWSPEC
```
public static final RowSpec PREF_ROWSPEC
```
    An unmodifyable RowSpec that determines its height by computing the maximum of all column component preferred heights.
    
    See Also:
    
    MIN_ROWSPEC, DEFAULT_ROWSPEC
  - DEFAULT_ROWSPEC
```
public static final RowSpec DEFAULT_ROWSPEC
```
    An unmodifyable RowSpec that determines its preferred height by computing the maximum of all column component preferred heights and its minimum height by computing all column component minimum heights.
    Useful to let a column shrink from preferred height to minimum height if the container space gets scarce.
    
    See Also:
    
    MIN_COLSPEC, PREF_COLSPEC
  - GLUE_ROWSPEC
```
public static final RowSpec GLUE_ROWSPEC
```
    An unmodifyable RowSpec that has an initial height of 0 pixels and that grows. Useful to describe glue rows that fill the space between other rows.
    
    See Also:
    
    GLUE_COLSPEC
  - RELATED_GAP_ROWSPEC
```
public static final RowSpec RELATED_GAP_ROWSPEC
```
    Describes a logical vertical gap between two related components. For example the OK and Cancel buttons are considered related.
    Note: In a future version this constant will likely be moved to a class LogicalSize or StyledSize.
    
    See Also:
    
    UNRELATED_GAP_ROWSPEC
  - UNRELATED_GAP_ROWSPEC
```
public static final RowSpec UNRELATED_GAP_ROWSPEC
```
    Describes a logical vertical gap between two unrelated components.
    Note: In a future version this constant will likely be moved to a class LogicalSize or StyledSize.
    
    See Also:
    
    RELATED_GAP_ROWSPEC
  - NARROW_LINE_GAP_ROWSPEC
```
public static final RowSpec NARROW_LINE_GAP_ROWSPEC
```
    Describes a logical vertical narrow gap between two rows in the grid. Useful if the vertical space is scarce or if an individual vertical gap shall be small than the default line gap.
    Note: In a future version this constant will likely be moved to a class LogicalSize or StyledSize.
    
    See Also:
    
    LINE_GAP_ROWSPEC, PARAGRAPH_GAP_ROWSPEC
  - LINE_GAP_ROWSPEC
```
public static final RowSpec LINE_GAP_ROWSPEC
```
    Describes the logical vertical default gap between two rows in the grid. A little bit larger than the narrow line gap.
    Note: In a future version this constant will likely be moved to a class LogicalSize or StyledSize.
    
    See Also:
    
    NARROW_LINE_GAP_ROWSPEC, PARAGRAPH_GAP_ROWSPEC
  - PARAGRAPH_GAP_ROWSPEC
```
public static final RowSpec PARAGRAPH_GAP_ROWSPEC
```
    Describes the logical vertical default gap between two paragraphs in the layout grid. This gap is larger than the default line gap.
    Note: In a future version this constant will likely be moved to a class LogicalSize or StyledSize.
    
    See Also:
    
    NARROW_LINE_GAP_ROWSPEC, LINE_GAP_ROWSPEC
- Method Detail
  - createColumnLayout
```
public static FormLayout createColumnLayout(int majorColumns,
                                            int minorColumns,
                                            ColumnSpec labelColumnSpec)
```
    Creates and returns an instance of FormLayout to build forms with the specified number of major and minor columns.
    The layout will use default values for all gaps.
    This method may be removed from a future version.
    
    Parameters:
    
    majorColumns - the number of used major columns
    
    minorColumns - the number of used minor columns
    
    labelColumnSpec - specifies the label columns
    
    Returns:
    
    a prepared FormLayout
  - createColumnLayout
```
public static FormLayout createColumnLayout(int majorColumns,
                                            int minorColumns,
                                            ColumnSpec labelColumnSpec,
                                            ConstantSize indent,
                                            ConstantSize minorColumnGap)
```
    Creates and returns an instance of FormLayout to build forms with the given number of major columns. Major columns consists of a label and a component section, where each component section is divided into the given number of minor columns.
    The layout will use the specified gaps to separate major columns, and the label and component section.
    This method may be removed from a future version.
    
    Parameters:
    
    majorColumns - the number of major columns
    
    minorColumns - the number of minor columns
    
    labelColumnSpec - specifies the label columns
    
    indent - an optional ConstantSize that describes the width of the leading indent column
    
    minorColumnGap - a ConstantSize that describes the gap between minor columns
    
    Returns:
    
    a prepared FormLayout
  - createColumnLayout
```
public static FormLayout createColumnLayout(int majorColumns,
                                            int minorColumns,
                                            ColumnSpec labelColumnSpec,
                                            ColumnSpec componentColumnSpec,
                                            ConstantSize indent,
                                            ConstantSize majorColumnGap,
                                            ConstantSize minorColumnGap)
```
    Creates and returns an instance of FormLayout to build forms with the given number of major columns. Major columns consists of a label and a component section, where each component section is divided into the given number of minor columns.
    The layout will use the specified gaps to separate major columns, minor columns, and the label and component section.
    This method may be removed from a future version.
    
    Parameters:
    
    majorColumns - the number of major columns
    
    minorColumns - the number of minor columns
    
    labelColumnSpec - specifies the label columns
    
    componentColumnSpec - specifies the label columns
    
    indent - an optional ConstantSize that describes the width of the leading indent column
    
    majorColumnGap - a ConstantSize that describes the gap between major columns
    
    minorColumnGap - a ConstantSize that describes the gap between minor columns
    
    Returns:
    
    a prepared FormLayout
  - createGapColumnSpec
```
public static ColumnSpec createGapColumnSpec(ConstantSize gapSize)
```
    Creates and returns a ColumnSpec that represents a gap with the specified ConstantSize.
    
    Parameters:
    
    gapSize - a ConstantSize that specifies the gap
    
    Returns:
    
    a ColumnSpec that describes a horizontal gap
  - createGapRowSpec
```
public static RowSpec createGapRowSpec(ConstantSize gapSize)
```
    Creates and returns a RowSpec that represents a gap with the specified ConstantSize.
    
    Parameters:
    
    gapSize - a ConstantSize that specifies the gap
    
    Returns:
    
    a RowSpec that describes a vertical gap

Class FormFactory

Field Summary

Method Summary

Methods inherited from class java.lang.Object

Field Detail

MIN_COLSPEC

PREF_COLSPEC

DEFAULT_COLSPEC

GLUE_COLSPEC

LABEL_COMPONENT_GAP_COLSPEC

RELATED_GAP_COLSPEC

UNRELATED_GAP_COLSPEC

BUTTON_COLSPEC

GROWING_BUTTON_COLSPEC

MIN_ROWSPEC

PREF_ROWSPEC

DEFAULT_ROWSPEC

GLUE_ROWSPEC

RELATED_GAP_ROWSPEC

UNRELATED_GAP_ROWSPEC

NARROW_LINE_GAP_ROWSPEC

LINE_GAP_ROWSPEC

PARAGRAPH_GAP_ROWSPEC

Method Detail

createColumnLayout

createColumnLayout

createColumnLayout

createGapColumnSpec

createGapRowSpec